NOTE TO MEDIA: Pictures from the event embedded in the press release are available in this Dropbox link. Photo credit can be provided to the Government of Cambodia.
(Siem Reap, Cambodia) -- Government representatives from 13 Asian elephant range countries, members of the IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group (AsESG), and of the Center for Species Survival Asian Elephant (CSS Asian Elephant) convened for the Fourth Asian Elephant Range States Meeting, held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, from February 5-7, 2025. The meeting was hosted by the Government of Cambodia and organized by the IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group (AsESG), with support from the CSS Asian Elephant, a collaborative partnership between IUCN Species Survival Commission, Wildlife Trust of India, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department of Odisha.
“Cambodia is honored to host the Fourth Asian Elephant Range States Meeting and welcomes all range country participants. I sincerely thank everyone for joining this important gathering to strengthen regional cooperation and collaboration for elephant conservation,” said by His Excellency Dr. Srey Sunleang, Director General, General Directorate of Natural Protected Areas, Ministry of Environment, Cambodia. “Collaborative initiatives, such as all Asian elephant range countries coming together for conservation, are crucial in ensuring a sustainable future for Asian elephants.”
Over three days, the meeting included 14 technical sessions, bringing together participants to discuss key conservation challenges, exchange solutions, and explore collaborative strategies. The first day began with country presentations, where government representatives provided updates on the conservation status of elephants in their respective countries. This was followed by sessions that delved into critical issues such as elephant corridor management, habitat connectivity, minimizing the impact of linear infrastructure on elephant habitats, human-elephant conflict mitigation, and management of captive elephants.
Discussions also focused on the development of national elephant conservation action plans, enhancing transboundary collaboration, securing sustainable funding for conservation efforts, and harnessing technology to advance elephant conservation. Delegates examined best practices for conducting elephant population surveys, emphasizing the use of modern technologies such as genetic databases, infrared cameras, drones, and AI to more effectively monitor and manage elephant populations. A dedicated session on the Asian Elephant Database addressed the challenges faced by the range countries, particularly in data collection, sharing, and standardization. Participants engaged in discussions on strengthening data-driven conservation, improving regional coordination, and supporting informed decision-making.
The meeting was supported by CSS Asian Elephant, a center of the IUCN SSC dedicated to the conservation of the Asian elephant across its 13 range countries. The center plays a pivotal role in promoting research, conservation planning, public awareness, and capacity-building while fostering regional cooperation through knowledge exchange. Working towards the fulfilment of the target actions outlined in the 2022 Kathmandu Declaration for Asian Elephant Conservation. Additionally, the Columbus Zoo has committed to fully fund the CSS for the initial five years, ensuring a solid foundation for the Centre's impactful operations.
“The Government of Cambodia has truly put together a remarkable meeting, and we are grateful for their hospitality. As we conclude three days of deliberations, we are set to launch a joint statement by range states—an important commitment to conserving the endangered Asian elephant,” said Mr. Vivek Menon, IUCN Councillor and Chair of the IUCN SSC AsESG. “While we recognize the many challenges in its conservation, this meeting reaffirms our shared vision and hope for collective action. The Asian elephant is not just a part of our natural heritage but deeply embedded in our cultures, and together, we strive to secure its future.”
The meeting concluded with the launch of the 2025 Siem Reap Declaration for Asian Elephant Conservation, reaffirming the commitment of participating countries to continued regional collaboration. Expanding on the foundation of the 2022 Kathmandu Declaration, this new Declaration provides a comprehensive framework for range-wide conservation efforts, ensuring the long-term protection of wild elephant populations and their habitats across Asia. Access the Seam Reap Declaration here.
The launching ceremony featured remarks from His Excellency Dr. Kim Nong, Undersecretary of State and Chair of the Technical Working Group on Elephants, Ministry of Environment, Government of Cambodia. He highlighted the significance of the Asian Elephant Range States Meeting as a platform for dialogue and collaboration in conserving this endangered species. He also shared the Government of Cambodia’s vision and ongoing efforts to enhance the management and conservation of the Asian elephant.
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About Center for Species Survival: Asian Elephant
The CSS Asian Elephant, based in Odisha, India, is a resource center for conservation stakeholders, promoting range-wide knowledge exchange and practical solutions for elephant conservation.
CSS: Asian Elephant is supported by a partnership between the IUCN Species Survival Commission , Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, Odisha is envisaged to be established in India to carry out, or contribute to, the strengthening of the conservation of Asian elephants across its 13 range countries.
Media Contact:
Jahnab Bharadwaj
Communications Officer
jahnab@wti.org.in
About the IUCN Species Survival Commission
With over 10,500 members in 186 territories, the Species Survival Commission is the largest of the seven expert commissions of IUCN and enables it to influence, encourage and assist societies to conserve biodiversity by building knowledge on the status and threats to species, providing advice, developing policies and guidelines, facilitating conservation planning, and catalyzing conservation action. Learn more at www.iucn.org/ssc.
Media Contact:
Liliana Medina-Toro
Communications Officer
liliana.medina-toro@ssc.iucn.org
About Wildlife Trust of India
Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) is a conservation organization established in 1998 with a mission to conserve nature, especially endangered species and threatened habitats, in partnership with communities and governments.
In its 26 years of operations, WTI has saved more than 50,000 animal lives, trained and equipped over 20,000 frontline forest staff, and assisted the government in creating 7 Protected Areas, sensitized 31 lakh children to conservation and assisted enforcement agencies in combatting wildlife crimes.
Media Contact:
Arinita Sandilya
Head of Communications
media@wti.org.in
About the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Home to more than 600 animal species from around the world, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads by making a positive impact on people, wildlife, and wild places. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also manages The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a wildlife conservation organization with regional, national and global impact, annually supporting conservation and research projects locally and worldwide. For more information, please visit ColumbusZoo.org.
Media Contacts:
Nicolle Gomez Racey
Vice President, Communications and Marketing
nicolle.racey@columbuszoo.org
Jen Fields
Director of Communications
jen.fields@columbuszoo.org
About the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, Odisha
The Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, Odisha is dedicated to the conservation and sustainable management of the state's biodiversity and ecosystems. Tasked with the protection, regeneration, and expansion of forest and wildlife resources, the department works through several wings —Forest, Wildlife, and Kendu Leaf and multiple autonomous bodies.
By involving local populations in its initiatives, the department strives for effective environmental conservation, protection of wildlife and their habitats and promoting participatory management of forests and livelihood support for local people, thereby ensuring a healthy balance between sustainable growth and biodiversity conservation.
